Scenes from the opening of the Sundance Film Festival

First films

By By SCOTT SUNDE/SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

on January 18, 2013 10:23 AM

Photo: Sonia Recchia/ap/getty

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Robert Redford, founder and president of the Sundance Institute, addresses the audience on the opening night premiere of the film "May in the Summer" at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) less

Robert Redford, founder and president of the Sundance Institute, addresses the audience on the opening night premiere of the film "May in the Summer" at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, ... more

Photo: Ap/getty

Robert Redford, founder and president of the Sundance Institute,... Photo-4050183.55329 - Houston Chronicle

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(L-R) Actors Hiam Abbass, Alia Shawkat and Nadine Malouf and director Cherien Dabis attend the "May In The Summer" premiere during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival at Eccles Center Theatre on Thursday. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images) less

(L-R) Actors Hiam Abbass, Alia Shawkat and Nadine Malouf and director Cherien Dabis attend the "May In The Summer" premiere during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival at Eccles Center Theatre on Thursday. (Photo ... more

Nadine Malouf, a cast member in "May in the Summer," waves at the premiere of the film on the opening night of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on Thursday. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Nadine Malouf, a cast member in "May in the Summer," waves at the premiere of the film on the opening night of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on Thursday. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Photo: Ap/getty

Nadine Malouf, a cast member in "May in the Summer,"... Photo-4050177.55329 - Houston Chronicle

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Cherien Dabis, writer, director and star of "May in the Summer," poses at the premiere of the film on the opening night of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, on Thursday. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Cherien Dabis, writer, director and star of "May in the Summer," poses at the premiere of the film on the opening night of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, on Thursday. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Cherien Dabis, right, writer, director and star of "May in the Summer," poses with cast member Hiam Abbass at the premiere of the film on the opening night of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on Thursday. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) less

Cherien Dabis, right, writer, director and star of "May in the Summer," poses with cast member Hiam Abbass at the premiere of the film on the opening night of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on Thursday. (Photo ... more

Bill Pullman, a cast member in "May in the Summer," is interviewed at the premiere of the film on the opening night of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on Thursday. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Bill Pullman, a cast member in "May in the Summer," is interviewed at the premiere of the film on the opening night of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on Thursday. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Photo: Ap/getty

Bill Pullman, a cast member in "May in the Summer," is... Photo-4050176.55329 - Houston Chronicle

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Director Sebastian Silva, left, actress Gaby Hoffmann, center, and actor Michael Cera, right, pose at the premiere of "Crystal Fairy" during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on Thursday. (Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP) less

Director Sebastian Silva, left, actress Gaby Hoffmann, center, and actor Michael Cera, right, pose at the premiere of "Crystal Fairy" during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on Thursday. (Photo by Danny ... more

Cast member Gaby Hoffmann leans over backwards in front of other including actor Michael Cera, second left, and director Sebastian Silva, third right, as they pose together at the premiere of "Crystal Fairy" during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on Thursday. (Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP) less

Cast member Gaby Hoffmann leans over backwards in front of other including actor Michael Cera, second left, and director Sebastian Silva, third right, as they pose together at the premiere of "Crystal Fairy" ... more

(L-R) Director George Tillman Jr., actors Skylan Brooks and Jennifer Hudson and a surprise appearance by singer Alicia Keys onstage during the "The Inevitable Defeat Of Mister And Pete" premiere during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival at Library Center Theater on January in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) less

(L-R) Director George Tillman Jr., actors Skylan Brooks and Jennifer Hudson and a surprise appearance by singer Alicia Keys onstage during the "The Inevitable Defeat Of Mister And Pete" premiere during the 2013 ... more

Singer Alicia Keys making a surprise appearance and actor Skylan Brooks at the "The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete" premiere during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival at Library Center Theater on Thursday. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) less

Singer Alicia Keys making a surprise appearance and actor Skylan Brooks at the "The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete" premiere during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival at Library Center Theater on Thursday. ... more

Robert Redford, founder and president of the Sundance Institute, smiles during the opening news conference of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on Thursday. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Robert Redford, founder and president of the Sundance Institute, smiles during the opening news conference of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on Thursday. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Photo: Ap/getty

Robert Redford, founder and president of the Sundance Institute,... Photo-4050170.55329 - Houston Chronicle

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Robert Redford, founder and president of the Sundance Institute, listens to a question during the opening news conference of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on Thursday. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Robert Redford, founder and president of the Sundance Institute, listens to a question during the opening news conference of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival on Thursday. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Photo: Ap/getty

Robert Redford, founder and president of the Sundance Institute,... Photo-4050171.55329 - Houston Chronicle

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Sibylle Szaggars and Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America Christopher Dodd -- former U.S. senator from Connecticut --attend An Artist At The Table, a benefit for the Sundance Institute during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival at The Shop on Thursday. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images) less

Sibylle Szaggars and Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America Christopher Dodd -- former U.S. senator from Connecticut --attend An Artist At The Table, a benefit for the Sundance Institute ... more

Politician Ross Romero and actress/director Christine Lahti attend An Artist At The Table, a benefit for the Sundance Institute during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival at The Shop on Thursday (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images) less

Politician Ross Romero and actress/director Christine Lahti attend An Artist At The Table, a benefit for the Sundance Institute during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival at The Shop on Thursday (Photo by Mark ... more

Filmmakers Gina Piersanti, Andrew McCord, Giovanna Salmeni and Jesse Cordasso attend the Day One Party during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival at Legacy Lodge on Thursday. (Photo by Sonia Recchia/Getty Images)

Filmmakers Gina Piersanti, Andrew McCord, Giovanna Salmeni and Jesse Cordasso attend the Day One Party during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival at Legacy Lodge on Thursday. (Photo by Sonia Recchia/Getty Images)

This undated publicity photo released by the Sundance Institute shows Amanda Seyfried as Linda Lovelace in the film, "Lovelace," directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman. The Sundance Film Festival began ... more

Photo: Ap/getty

This undated publicity photo released by the Sundance Institute... Photo-4050158.55329 - Houston Chronicle